Having Particular Structure Patents (Class 399/107)
- Process cartridge unit (Class 399/111)
- Charging unit (Class 399/115)
- Photoconductive member (Class 399/116)
- Optics (Class 399/118)
- Developing unit (Class 399/119)
- Transfer unit (Class 399/121)
- Fixing unit (Class 399/122)
- Cleaning unit (Class 399/123)
- Paper path access (Class 399/124)
- Clamshell type (Class 399/125)
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Patent number: 12259675Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; and a first memory having a first electrical contact surface. The developing cartridge is attachable to the drum frame and includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; a second memory having a second electrical contact surface; and a developing holder holding the second electrical contact surface such that the second electrical contact surface is movable relative to the casing. The drum cartridge further includes an elastic member that can expand and contract in a second direction crossing the first direction. The developing holder is connected to the elastic member and is movable in the second direction in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2023Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Shinya Kusuda, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Junya Sumida, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 12225166Abstract: A printing device includes: a case covering a printing mechanism; and an electrostatic touch panel provided at the case. The touch panel is provided at an angle from horizontal. At a bottom side of the touch panel, a wall for stopping a touch pen rolling down a surface of the touch panel is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Makoto Hoshina, Ichiro Yoshioka
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Patent number: 12216429Abstract: A developing cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge includes: a developing roller; a casing including a first frame supporting the developing roller and a second frame fixed to the first frame; and a separation member movable in a first direction relative to the casing. The separation member includes: a separation shaft; and a first inclined surface positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the separation member. The first frame has a load receiving surface facing the separation shaft in a second direction crossing the first direction. The load receiving surface makes contact with the separation shaft to receive a load directed in the second direction from the separation shaft when the separation member moves in the first direction and the first inclined surface makes contact with the drum cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Abe
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Patent number: 12197167Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a first chassis, a second chassis, a first connector, a second connector, a first scale and a first indicator. The first chassis and the second chassis are connected via the first connector and the second connector. The first scale is provided on one of the first connector and the second connector. The first scale indicates a relative distance between the first chassis and the second chassis in a first direction. The first indicator is provided on the other of the first connector and the second connector. The first indicator points the first scale.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akio Ogasawara
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Patent number: 12181825Abstract: A printer includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet by an inkjet method. An image recording position of the recording unit is located above an image forming position of the image forming unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroyuki Shingai, Shohei Ichikawa, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Shota Shinoya
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Patent number: 12174579Abstract: A joined structural body includes a first member having a plate shape and including a first surface, a plurality of first joining portions, and a positioning portion, and a second member joined to the first member, having a plate shape, and including a second surface, a plurality of second joining portions, and a positioned portion engaged with the positioning portion. Distances of the plurality of first joining portions from the positioning portion in a plane perpendicularly intersecting with the thickness direction are different among the plurality of first joining portions. Each of the plurality of first joining portions includes a first rib. Each of the plurality of second joining portions includes a second rib. The first rib and the second rib are joined to each other at an intersecting point where the first rib and the second rib intersect with each other when viewed in the thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeo Murayama
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Patent number: 12147190Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a development device, a fixing device, an apparatus main body, and a fan including a rotating shaft that extends in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum and a blade around the rotating shaft. The development device develops a toner image on the photosensitive drum. The fixing device fixes the toner image from the photosensitive drum to a recording material. The apparatus main body is provided with a discharge port from which the toner-fixed recording material is discharged. A length of the fan rotating shaft in the longitudinal direction is longer than a diameter of a rotational trajectory of the blade. The fan is provided on a downstream side of the fixing device in a discharge direction in which the recording material is discharged from the discharge port and overlaps a part of the development device when viewed in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Takehiro Miyashita, Katsuhiko Oba
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Patent number: 12140882Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the casing in a second direction crossing the first direction; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; a supply roller rotatable about a supply axis extending in the first direction and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; and an IC chip having an electrical contact surface positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned opposite the developing electrode in the second direction with respect to a part of the supply electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya Minoshima, Tomitake Aratachi, Keita Shimizu
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Patent number: 12135522Abstract: A cartridge includes: a housing; a storage medium having an electrical contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the housing. The holder includes a first holder member. and a second holder member movable relative to the first holder member. The first holder member includes at least one pawl and holds the electrical contact surface at one end surface of the first holder member in a first direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The second holder member includes at least one corner part engageable with the at least one pawl to provide an engaging portion therebetween. The second holder member has a through-hole that is open at another end face of the second holder member in the first direction. The engaging portion is accessible from an outside of the holder through the through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2023Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Tosuji, Nao Itabashi, Kazuya Kamikawa
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Patent number: 12130577Abstract: A positioning mechanism includes two adjusting devices. The adjusting device includes: a shaft that extends between a first apparatus and a second apparatus in a facing direction where the first and second apparatus face each other and has an outer peripheral surface with a threaded portion formed therein; a holding member that is provided on the first apparatus, has a threaded hole formed through in the facing direction, and holds the shaft member passing through the threaded hole; an abutment member that is provided on an end of the shaft member close to the second apparatus and abuts on a connectable surface of the second apparatus and a compression coil spring that is disposed to surround the shaft member and the abutment member and is clamped and compressed between the holding member and the connectable surface of the second apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta
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Patent number: 12117765Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing having an opening providing a first region and a second region; first and second covers for opening and closing the first and second regions, respectively; a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the housing in a first direction through the first region; and a toner cartridge. A part of the toner cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position. The toner cartridge is detachable from the drum cartridge attached to the housing through the second region in a second direction crossing the first direction when the first cover is closed, the second cover is opened, and the part of the toner cartridge is at the second position. The part of the toner cartridge is movable from the first position to the second position in a third direction crossing the first and second directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Kazuna Taguchi, Soichiro Mase
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Patent number: 12111602Abstract: An image forming device is provided with a rear face including a plurality of divided exterior plates. The plurality of exterior plates includes the exterior plates adjacent to each other in the lateral direction. A joint line of the exterior plates adjacent to each other in the lateral direction has a spigot joint shape, and a protrusion that discharges water to the outside is provided at a groove having the spigot joint shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masatsugu Ohishi
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Patent number: 12105468Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driving unit configured to apply a driving force to a photosensitive drum, in which the driving unit includes a first driving frame hold a shaft joint side of a driving gear, a second driving frame hold a side opposite to the shaft joint side of the driving gear and be located coaxially with the first through-hole, a first driving frame wall portion extend in an axial direction of the driving gear toward the second driving frame, and a second driving frame wall portion extend in the axial direction toward the first driving frame, and an elastic member is compressed and held in a gap between the first driving frame wall portion and the second driving frame wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasumasa Kido, Masato Yamaoka
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Patent number: 12092973Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit including an image bearing member and a second unit. The second unit includes a developing roller to supply the toner to the image bearing member, a mounting portion in which the replenishing container is dismountably mounted, and an accommodating portion to accommodate the toner replenished from the replenishing container. The second unit is movable between a first position where the developing roller contacts the image bearing member and a second position where the developing roller separates from the image bearing member. When a moving direction in which the second unit moves from the first position toward the second position is defined as a separating direction, the second unit is urged in the separating direction by a force which the mounting portion receives from the replenishing container when the replenishing container is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shinichi Nishida, Sohta Sugimoto, Mitsuhiro Sato, Masahiro Suetsugu
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Patent number: 12078951Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material, a first metal plate and a second metal plate that face each other to sandwich the image forming unit, and a third metal plate that is located between the first metal plate and the second metal plate and is joined to the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The first metal plate and the third metal plate are welded together at a plurality of welding positions, an adhesive is applied to between the first metal plate and the third metal plate in a range sandwiched between two welding positions of the plurality of welding positions in a region where the first metal plate and the third metal plate are in contact with each other, and the first metal plate and the third metal plate are thereby joined together.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiko Fuse, Yoji Misao
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Patent number: 12072660Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a casing sheet metal, a circuit board, and a support sheet metal. The casing sheet metal includes a first surface having an opening and a second surface. The support sheet metal is housed in the casing sheet metal in an orientation in which a first edge of the support sheet metal faces the first surface of the casing sheet metal and a second edge of the support sheet metal faces the second surface of the casing sheet metal. The first edge includes an insertion portion configured to be inserted into the opening, and the second edge includes a pressing portion configured to press the second surface of the casing sheet metal in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the opening. Grounding of the circuit board is established via the support sheet metal and the casing sheet metal.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuya Yokobori
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Patent number: 12072665Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a drum coupling; and an electrical contact surface. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum frame has one end portion in a second direction at which the photosensitive drum is positioned. The drum coupling is rotatable together with the photosensitive drum. The drum coupling is positioned at an outer surface of one side in the first direction of the drum frame. The electrical contact surface is positioned closer to another side in the second direction of the drum frame than the drum coupling is to the another side in the second direction of the drum frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Mori, Atsushi Fukaya, Tsubasa Kiriyama, Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 12069210Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first housing, an image reading unit including a reading sensor, a communication circuit board including a communication antenna capable of short-distance wireless communication, a second housing located above the first housing and accommodating the image reading unit and the communication circuit board, and an operation panel located in front of the second housing. The second housing includes a first side wall located at a rear of the operation panel, and a second side wall located at the rear of the operation panel. An inner surface of the first side wall is opposed to the communication circuit board. An outer surface of the first side-wall has a mark indicating a position to which a communication object is brought close.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hidenori Jo, Mariko Mogi, Yuki Nagashima
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Patent number: 12055884Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including an image bearing member, and a casing on which a discharge port is formed, the casing including a first frame, a second frame disposed below the first frame in a vertical direction, a side cover, and a top cover, the first frame including a side plate that supports an end, in a longitudinal direction, of the image bearing member. At least one of the top cover and the first frame includes a first pillar portion. The second frame includes a second pillar portion. The side cover includes a third pillar portion disposed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion in the vertical direction, the third pillar portion being provided at a position at least partially overlapping with the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion when viewed in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsuyuki Yuzawa
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Patent number: 12025945Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, which includes an optical scanning portion which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body; a placing member on which the optical scanning portion is placed; a first supporting member to which the placing member is fixed; a second supporting member opposite the first supporting member across the placing member; and a connecting member which connects the second supporting member and the placing member, the connecting member including a first surface which is fixed to the second supporting member and a second surface which is bent at an approximately right angle with respect to the first surface and is fixed to the placing member.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Haruhiko Nakatsu, Takuya Matsumura
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Patent number: 12024379Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet supporting unit, a sheet feeding unit, and a regulating member. The regulating member includes a supporting surface portion on which the sheet is placed, and a regulation surface portion provided continuously with the supporting surface portion and configured to regulate the position of the sheet in a width direction. The supporting surface portion includes a supporting surface color indicating portion including an end portion of the supporting surface portion on a side of the regulation surface portion and having a color with brightness of 7 or less in the Munsell color system. The regulation surface portion includes a regulation surface color indicating portion including an end portion of the regulation surface portion on a side of the supporting surface portion and having a color with brightness higher than the brightness of the supporting surface color indicating portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideki Mori
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Patent number: 11997784Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a frame, which is a part of a main assembly frame, extending along a predetermined plane, a cover provided outside of the frame and extending along the predetermined plane and a circuit board, provided between the frame and the cover with in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined plane and extending along the predetermined plane. An opening portion penetrating the circuit board is formed in the circuit board. The frame includes a first abutting portion protruding toward the circuit board and the cover includes a second abutting portion protruding toward the circuit board. The first and second abutting portions are opposite to each other via the circuit board and positioned in an area where the opening portion of the circuit board is sandwiched therebetween in the direction perpendicular to the predetermined plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shogo Nagamine, Masaki Sato
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Patent number: 11988987Abstract: A housing structure includes an upper housing at an upper side of a device housing, a lower housing at a lower side of the device housing, and a positioner that positions the upper housing on the lower housing. One side surface of the device housing has an opening extending astride the lower housing and the upper housing when the upper housing is positioned on the lower housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.Inventors: Keigo Shinoto, Kota Sato, Taisuke Endo
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Patent number: 11988988Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeyuki Takagi, Hiroki Mori
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Patent number: 11988977Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2023Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 11971679Abstract: A metal frame of an image forming apparatus includes a first support which includes a first metal plate and a second metal plate; a second support configured to support the image forming unit together with the first support; and a third support configured to connect the first support and the second support. The first metal plate includes a corner portion provided between a first portion and a second portion. The second metal plate includes a third portion, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion, wherein the fifth portion includes another corner portion located between a first stretched portion and a second stretched portion facing the corner portion of the first metal plate. A tip of the second stretched portion faces the fourth portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naruhiko Ito, Ryota Yasui, Takahiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11966191Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members, a support frame configured to support the plurality of photosensitive members, and an electric unit including a first electric board and a second electric board, and fixed to the support frame. The electric unit includes a first supporting portion extending in an arrangement direction of the plurality of photosensitive members, a second supporting portion extending in the arrangement direction, and a board holding portion configured to hold the first electric board and the second electric board and bridged between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The first electric board is positioned in the image forming apparatus more inward than at least one of the first supporting portion or the second supporting portion in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction and a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shigeharu Kurita
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Patent number: 11947307Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a drum coupling; and an electrical contact surface. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum frame has one end portion in a second direction at which the photosensitive drum is positioned. The drum coupling is rotatable together with the photosensitive drum. The drum coupling is positioned at an outer surface of one side in the first direction of the drum frame. The electrical contact surface is positioned closer to another side in the second direction of the drum frame than the drum coupling is to the another side in the second direction of the drum frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Mori, Atsushi Fukaya, Tsubasa Kiriyama, Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 11947310Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 11927900Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, a pressure plate, a pressing force, an entrance guide, an exit guide, and a transmission. The pressure rotator presses the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The pressure plate rotates about a fulcrum to press the pressure rotator. The pressing force adjuster adjusts a pressing force of the pressure rotator. The entrance guide guides a recording medium entering the nip. The exit guide guides the recording medium ejected from the nip. The transmission transmits a displacement of the pressure plate to the entrance guide and the exit guide.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Ogiso, Tamotsu Ikeda
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Patent number: 11921444Abstract: A belt unit, for use in an image forming apparatus, includes an endless belt that moves in a movement direction, a transfer member, a collecting member, a storage container, and a conveyance member. The conveyance member conveys toner in a conveyance direction, rotates about a rotational axis extending in a rotational axis direction, includes a shaft and a conveyance portion provided on a shaft outer surface, and has a helical shape having a helical axis extending in the rotational axis direction. The conveyance member further includes a protruding portion protruding from the shaft outer surface in a direction crossing the conveyance member rotational axis, which has a shape different from the helical shape, and which is provided on a shaft portion downstream of the conveyance portion in the conveyance direction. The rotational axis direction is a direction crossing both the endless belt movement direction and a transfer member longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norihiro Matsumoto, Yuichiro Inaba, Akinori Mitsumata
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Patent number: 11841671Abstract: An apparatus includes an apparatus body, an exterior cover configured to pivot around a pivot shaft extending in a first direction, and extend in the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first engagement portion including a first engagement surface, and a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion including a facing surface facing the first engagement surface. When viewed in a third direction orthogonal to an exterior surface of the exterior cover, the first engagement surface and the facing surface at least partially overlap each other. The facing surface includes a second engagement surface and an inclined surface. When viewed in the third direction, a ridgeline formed by the second engagement surface and the inclined surface extends further away from the pivot shaft in the second direction as the ridgeline extends more downstream in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsuyuki Yuzawa
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Patent number: 11835882Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members; a scanner unit including light sources, a rotatable polygonal mirror, and reflecting members; and a fixing portion. Parts of the laser beams emitted from the light sources are reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward the fixing device side, and rest parts of the laser beams are reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward a side opposite from the fixing device side. Of the parts of the laser beams reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward the fixing device side, the laser beam reflected toward the reflecting member provided at a position remotest from the rotatable polygonal mirror travels downward relative to a horizontal direction. A rotational axis of the rotatable polygonal mirror is inclined relative to a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jun Nagatoshi
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Patent number: 11774899Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an apparatus housing that encases an image forming device. The apparatus housing includes a housing side face, a handle member, and a frame. The housing side face is held when the apparatus housing is lifted. The handle member is provided on the housing side face. The handle member includes a portion recessed inward from the housing side face of the apparatus housing and a guide groove having a slot shape extending in a vertical direction of the apparatus housing. The frame includes a guide having a length substantially equal to a width of the guide groove. The handle member is movable in the vertical direction of the apparatus housing by the guide groove and the guide. The frame restricts movement of the handle member when the handle member moves upward and contact the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Shiro Akama
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Patent number: 11709456Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, a drawer, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The drawer is movable in a first direction between an inner position at which the drawer is located inside the main body housing and an outer position at which the drawer is located outside the main body housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drum cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drawer. The toner cartridge accommodates toner. When the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer and the drawer is at the inner position, the toner conveyor conveys toner from the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasumasa Fujii, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 11709454Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a pressing member, a process cartridge, and a drawer. The body casing includes a positioning member. The pressing member is disposed inside the body casing. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and to move, in a sliding direction orthogonal to an axis direction of the photosensitive drum, between an inside position that is a position inside the body casing and an outside position that is a position outside the body casing. The process cartridge includes an engagement portion and a spring. The engagement portion is configured to be positioned by the positioning member. The spring is configured to be pressed by the pressing member such that the engagement portion is pressed toward the positioning member.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 11703792Abstract: An overturning prevention device includes a holding member disposed at a bottom surface portion of an apparatus, and an overturning prevention member configured to be held by the holding member. The apparatus includes a wheel unit including a wheel, a fitting portion, and a support shaft. The holding member is disposed at a position nearer to a center of the bottom surface portion than the support shaft when viewed from above. The overturning prevention member includes, a projecting portion configured to project outside the bottom surface portion, and a held portion configured to be held by the holding member, the projecting portion and the held portion being connected with each other. The overturning prevention member is configured to be attached to and detached from the holding member by being moved in an attaching direction in which the held portion and the projecting portion are connected.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuji Nakayashiki
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Patent number: 11703773Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member that is excellent in image smearing resistance and low torque while maintaining its electrophotographic characteristic. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including, in this order: a support; a photosensitive layer; and a protection layer as a surface layer, wherein the protection layer has a surface having a developed area ratio Sdr of 1.0% to 40.0%, and wherein an A value represented by the following formula (1) is 0.10 to 0.27: A=S1/S2 . . . formula (1), where, in the formula (1), S1 represents a peak area based on C?C stretching vibration of an aromatic ring by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and S2 represents a peak area based on C?O stretching vibration of an ester group by the same method.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsutomu Nishida, Yuka Ishiduka, Tatsuya Ohsawa
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Patent number: 11592764Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 11586128Abstract: A conduction mechanism includes: a conductive bearing that rotatably supports a rotary shaft; a non-conductive axial positioner that has a cylinder externally fitted to the bearing; and a contact terminal attached to an outer circumferential surface side of the cylinder. The cylinder has a slit, and the contact terminal has an abutment piece that is exposed to an inner circumferential surface side of the cylinder from the slit and abuts an outer circumferential surface of the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shohtaroh Okamoto
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Patent number: 11550256Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 11550258Abstract: A replaceable unit includes a rotatable gear positioned on a housing of the replaceable unit and an encoded member encoded with identifying information of the replaceable unit. The encoded member is positioned on an axially outboard face of the gear such that the encoded member is rotatable with the gear for communicating the identifying information of the replaceable unit to a sensor of an image forming device when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. The encoded member is configured to move axially outward relative to a rotational axis of the gear upon rotation of the gear in a first rotational direction for communicating the identifying information of the replaceable unit to the sensor. The encoded member is configured to move axially inward relative to the rotational axis of the gear upon rotation of the gear in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Daniel Lee Carter, Daniel George Mlejnek
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Patent number: 11543768Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge provided with a memory. The apparatus main body includes a frame, a movable electric contact unit including an electric contact portion contacting with the memory, and a holding member holding the electric contact portion and including an urging member urging the electric contact unit toward the memory in a mounted state of the cartridge, and a positioning portion positioning the electric contact unit in an unmounted state of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuo Furukawa, Ryota Shibuya
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Patent number: 11526117Abstract: A drawer is moveable between an inner position and an outer position through an opening when a cover is located at an opening position. A waste toner conveying tube is movable in a second direction between a first connection position and a first disconnection position when a drum cartridge is attached to a drawer and the drawer is at the inner position. When the cover moves from a closing position toward the opening position, the waste toner conveying tube moves from the first connection position toward the first disconnection position in conjunction with the movement of the cover. The drawer is movable from the inner position toward to the outer position when the drum cartridge is attached to the drawer, the drawer is at the inner position, and the waste toner conveying tube is at the first disconnection position.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 11520280Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt component, a first detachable unit that faces the belt component in an area where an outer surface of the belt component faces upward, a first housing component that houses the first detachable unit and is drawable from and loadable into the apparatus, a second detachable unit that faces the belt component in an area where the outer surface of the belt component faces downward, and a second housing component that houses the second detachable unit and is drawable from and loadable into the apparatus. With the first housing component being drawn from the apparatus, the first detachable unit is detachable from and attachable to the first housing component in a side-to-side direction. With the second housing component being drawn from the apparatus, the second detachable unit is detachable from and attachable to the second housing component in an upward direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.Inventors: Arichika Tanaka, Shohei Miyagawa, Go Miura
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Patent number: 11513465Abstract: A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame configured to retain the photosensitive drum and to accept a developing cartridge including a toner memory, which stores information concerning the developing cartridge, a first connector electrically connectable with the toner memory in the developing cartridge under a condition where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, a relay board electrically connectable with the first connector, a second connector electrically connectable with a connector in an image forming apparatus and with the toner memory through the relay board, and a thermistor electrically connectable with the relay board, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Abe, Keita Inoue
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Patent number: 11500303Abstract: An image formation unit according to an embodiment may include: an image carrier unit in which an image carrier is supported; a developer carrier unit in which a developer carrier is supported; a first bias member provided at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the image formation unit and configured to bias the developer carrier unit toward the image carrier unit; a second bias member provided at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the image formation unit and configured to bias the developer carrier unit toward the image carrier unit. A first bias direction of biasing the developer carrier unit toward the image carrier unit by the first bias member and a second bias direction of biasing the developer carrier unit toward the image carrier unit by the second bias member are not parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Saito, Hisatoshi Saito
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Patent number: 11500322Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drawer and a main body. The drawer includes a drawer-side electrical contact part and a socket. The main body includes a main body-side connector including: a main body-side electrical contact part; and a holder including a base, a panel, and an elastic member interposed between the base and the panel. The holder holds the main body-side electrical contact part to be movable in an intersection direction intersecting with an extension and contraction direction of the elastic member. When the holder contacts the socket, the panel moves relative to the base in the intersection direction together with the main body side-electrical contact part, and the main body side-electrical contact part and drawer-side electrical contact part are in contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota Shinoya, Isao Kishi
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Patent number: 11467530Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a housing, a drawer, and a cartridge, is provided. The drawer is movable between an inner position and an outer position. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum cover. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum cover is movable with respect to the photosensitive drum between a first position and a second position. The drawer includes a guide, a stopper, and a contacting portion. The guide guides the cartridge in a second direction, when the cartridge is being attached to the drawer. The stopper stops the cartridge from separating from the guide in a third direction. The contacting portion contacts the drum cover and move the drum cover from the first position to the second position in a state where the cartridge is being guided by the guide.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 11454922Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an electrically conductive and grounded frame, an image forming unit, a print head, a holder that supports the print head, an electrically conductive urging member for urging the print head toward the image forming unit, and an electrically conductive arm extending from the urging member and electrically connected to the urging member. The arm floats when the print head moves away from the image forming unit and is electrically connected to the frame when the print head approaches the image forming unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toshihiro Matsushima